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Thinking of getting a northern journey? Juneau is the capital metropolis of Alaska, and whereas it may not be the primary place you’d consider visiting, there may be a lot to do right here that you possibly can simply spend a few weeks actually attending to know the realm.
Juneau is legendary for its wildlife, each on land and at sea. Hundreds of species of birds, together with bald eagles, black and brown bears, salmon, and orca whales, are simply a number of the normally-elusive animals you might be prone to spot.
Loads of the tourism right here is predicated on getting out into nature, so if you happen to love climbing, tenting, or something of the type, you then’ll have the time of your life in Juneau. Juneau is Alaska’s capital metropolis, so it will probably get busy when a number of cruises are in port. Juneau is a cruise ship terminal that’s visited by virtually each Alaskan cruise.
How do I get to the most effective locations in Juneau?
Juneau isn’t accessible by automobile, however you possibly can cowl a lot of the journey there by taking the Alaska-Canadian Highway, which runs about 1500 miles. Then, it’s only a brief ferry trip till you attain Juneau. If you might be driving, make sure you e-book forward, as automobile slots promote out shortly and aren’t all the time out there on standby.
No matter the way you arrive, by aircraft or automobile, or cruise ship Juneau is a photogenic metropolis to go to, with astonishing pure magnificence proper in its yard. If you need an thought of what to anticipate from a visit to the Alaskan capital, learn on for our record of the highest 10 Things to do in Juneau and the most effective place to go to.
If you will have learn a few of our different articles, it’s possible you’ll bear in mind our first journey to Alaska we drove. You can learn extra about driving to Alaska right here. Since we drove, we didn’t go to Juneau. On our final journey, we took an Alaska cruise with Holland America and had each youngsters with us. It was an awesome household trip to Alaska, and cruising was nice for us.
Best Places to Visit in Alaska
1. Mount Roberts Tramway
This isn’t your common tram trip. The Goldbelt Tram is likely one of the greatest methods to see Juneau, so long as you’re not afraid of heights (however even then, it’s solely 5 minutes to the highest). It’s the most effective view you’ll get in Juneau and isn’t to be missed!
The Mt. Roberts tramway begins from the cruise ship pier, ascending 1800 toes up the aspect of Mount Roberts. As the carriage will get greater, the notable sights of downtown Juneau, the Chilkat Mountain vary and surrounding islands seem earlier than you in a wide ranging view you received’t imagine. A pair of binoculars, a digital camera, and a zoom lens (you probably have one) are a good suggestion so you possibly can profit from the view.
Once on the high, you’ll discover the Mountain House, a cultural middle run by a local group. They have an academic theater, a present store, and the Timberline Restaurant, which is a superb place to pattern native beers with some freshly-caught Alaskan seafood.
If you might be in search of issues to do in Juneau which are tremendous near the port, that is it. I might simply stroll up and purchase tickets the day of.
2. Mendenhall Glacier(ice caves)
Located simply 12 miles from Juneau’s metropolis middle, the Mendenhall Glacier is a must-see if you happen to’re visiting this a part of Alaska. The Juneau icefield is most well-known for its enchanting, magical ice caves.
We went on this tour. It was a combo tour that included wildlife& whale watching and visiting the Mendenhall Glacier. This was an awesome tour as you bought to do two of the most effective issues to do in Juneau with one tour. The solely draw back was that we didn’t have sufficient time on the Mendenhall Glacier to hike to Nugget Falls.
Visitors can stand contained in the hole glacier’s caves made totally of ice whereas water runs overhead and underfoot, creating the phantasm of being inside a frozen bubble. Be positive to cease at Mendenhall Lake, as it’s a part of the Mendenhall Valley Glacier Recreation space. Be positive to cease on the Mendenhall Glacier Visitors middle to study extra concerning the previous of this superb glacier.
Since glaciers are always evolving in a globally-changing environment, they will shift and even collapse. Old caves collapse or disappear over time, and new ones kind over time, so there’s no assure that any caves will probably be there to discover if you happen to go to. But the sheer chance is sufficient for a go to since this is likely one of the most unusual experiences most individuals may have of their lifetime!
If you might be new to glacier climbing, it’s greatest to rent a tour information whose knowledgeable security data can hold you from any harmful conditions on these climbing trails. Be positive to put on heat and waterproof boots and a jacket since it’s chilly and damp contained in the caves.
3. Glacier Garden Rainforest Adventure
How does a botanical backyard inside a glacial rainforest sound? That’s what you possibly can anticipate if you happen to go to the Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure, an engineered and artfully-designed botanical backyard situated inside Alaska’s Tongass National Forest.
This is a guided tour in a partially-covered van that takes you thru the backyard, as much as fairly a excessive elevation to a viewing space with panoramic views of Juneau, and again down. Cascading ‘flower towers’ spill from fallen bushes, pure swimming pools are surrounded by lush bushes and creeping vines, and vibrant wildflowers bloom from each nook of the designer landscapes.
Click right here to get present pricing and make reservations. After your tour, cease by the plant nursery and find out about how the employees are seeding new crops to be prepared for switch to the gardens. Part of the nursery additionally sells potted crops and seed packets, particularly these that may survive a chilly local weather like Alaska’s. If you reside someplace related and are concerned with a grow-your-own memento, make sure you go to the nursery to see what’s in season and produce again a few of Alaska’s pure habitat.
4. Tracy Arm Fjord
The well-known Tracy Arm Fjord is about 45 miles south of the state capital of Juneau and is a shining instance of the astounding pure magnificence for which Alaska is legendary. The ice caves are extraordinarily widespread (and price seeing), however Tracy Arm is the lesser-known hidden gem, filled with unspoiled magnificence.
Most visits to the fjord are run by tour firms aboard comfy catamarans, so you possibly can loosen up whereas seeing this superb surprise of Alaska’s spectacular surroundings. Boats are small to allow them to navigate the ice-ridden waters. Literally, since you’ll be gliding by waters with floating ice chunks!
Another superb viewpoint for this legendary glacier is to discover it by air from a seaplane tour or helicopter tour. Alaska Seaplanes runs half-hour excursions from Juneau International Airport (solely quarter-hour from downtown) for $300.
Another choice, if you happen to really need one thing luxurious, is to rent a non-public chartered tour information. There are many choices for this, whether or not you need to go by sea or by air. You’ll see larger-than-life glaciers, cascading waterfalls, and loads of wild animals like humpback whales and seals. Bring your digital camera for this unforgettable expertise!
5. Whale Watching
If whale watching is in your bucket record, then Juneau is the right place to do it. Alaska is well-known for its marine wildlife, and simply off the coast, there are humpbacks, orcas, and belugas aplenty. We went on this whale watching tour in Juneau and had a good time.
Although there’s an opportunity of seeing whales year-round, the most effective instances of the 12 months for whale watching in Juneau is April by November. Hundreds of humpbacks go by the channel, and most whale watching excursions assure no less than one sighting, though you’re prone to see a number of in your tour.
Most whale watching excursions in Juneau will run for at least 2-3 hours and have a tendency to begin at round $150-200. Most excursions assure sightings, so that you received’t need to go away your digital camera at house! But perhaps put money into a water-proof cowl, simply in case.
6. Alaskan Brewing Company
There’s nothing higher than an ice-cold beer after a day exploring the fjords, forests, and oceans of Alaska. Fortunately, we’ve bought the right spot to just do this: the Alaskan Brewing Company, in any other case often called Alaska’s largest brewery.
They have seven year-round beers and launch extra seasonal, specialty, and even limited-edition brews all year long, usually in the summertime months. For anybody alongside for the trip who isn’t into beer, one in all their onerous seltzers or sodas is perhaps simply the refreshment you want.
They run brewery excursions and tastings of their tasting room in the summertime months, the right finish to a heat day. If you want what you’ve tasted, seize a six-pack or fill a growler, and take it house with you.
The Alaskan Brewing Company is only a 10-minute drive from downtown Juneau space, however if you happen to can’t make the drive then their Depot to purchase their beers or seize their summer season shuttle that may take you straight to the principle brewery. Kids are allowed in if accompanied by an grownup, however it’s most likely higher suited to a child-free day.
You might even see an Alaskan Brewing Company proper in downtown, however observe they don’t serve or promote any beer right here. They solely promote shirts, glasses, and different merchandise. We know as a result of we sadly discovered the onerous means.
7. Last Chance Mining Museum
With Alaska’s historical past and involvement with the gold rush, mining kinds an enormous a part of its current cultural id. The Last Chance Mining Museum is a testomony to the pure historical past, with a seasonal exhibit situated on the museum’s foremost constructing, which stands on the location of a former gold mine only a mile north of downtown Juneau.
The camp, though not in operation anymore, was the location of Juneau’s largest gold mine, which produced over $80 million {dollars} value of gold earlier than closing in 1944.
The jewel of the Last Chance Mining Museum, and the final surviving piece of the unique mine, is the air compressor constructing. The unique compressor continues to be inside, untouched for the reason that mine’s golden age (actually). There are additionally varied remnants of the railroad, which had been used to move employees, items, equipment, and instruments to and from the mine.
The museum is open from mid-May by September, Friday by Monday. Tickets are $5, and hours will be sporadic, so it’s all the time a good suggestion to name forward and ensure opening hours earlier than arriving.
8. DIPAC Macaulay Salmon Hatchery
Salmon is one in all Alaska’s largest exports, with over a billion {dollars} value of annual export. There are many salmon hatcheries all through the state, and if you happen to’ve ever needed to go to one, you’re in luck as a result of the DIPAC Macaulay Salmon Hatchery is situated a 20-minute drive from downtown Juneau.
Visitors get to see the spawning course of firsthand, from the thousands and thousands of child salmon rising from eggs to the 1000’s of salmon preventing to swim upstream. There can be an aquarium with over 150 species of marine life animals, and a contact tank that youngsters will love.
In addition to studying concerning the strategy of salmon hatching and rearing, guests can discover souvenirs within the present store, pattern several types of smoked salmon, and even ship some tasty items house to proceed having fun with after your Alaskan journey ends.
The hatchery is open for walk-in excursions day by day from May by September, and by appointment from October by April.
9. Nugget Falls Trail
For outside lovers, the Nugget Falls Trail is your one-stop store. It’s an extension of Mendenhall Glacier and leaves from the customer’s middle. This is a superb exercise you are able to do together with your youngsters because it’s a reasonably relaxed self-guided stroll, and the entire path takes lower than an hour, or you possibly can take your time and make it a leisurely stroll. Leashed canine are welcome on the path too, however make certain to select up after them.
The waterfall itself is a staggering 375 toes tall, and you may get very near it from the shoreline. The Falls additionally fan out on the base, overlaying near 100 toes in width. If you’re fortunate, you would possibly spot some black bears fishing for sockeye salmon and luxuriate in different wildlife viewing. This species of bear tends to maintain their distance from folks, however train applicable warning if you happen to do spot any. This path is the right addition to any day journey close to Mendenhall Glacier and is a spotlight of the within passage.
Aside from the spectacular views of the glacier and Nugget Falls, this can be a stunning path for birdwatching, wildflower recognizing, and by extension images. So convey your digital camera!
10. Alaska State Museum
The remaining factor on our record of issues to do in Juneau is the Alaska State Museum. Sometimes referred to as the APK, this is likely one of the most necessary cultural museums for preserving and displaying info and artifacts from the historical past of indigenous peoples from the area.
Many native cultures are represented right here, together with Haida, Tlingit, and Tsimshian, in addition to smaller bands from the encircling Prince William Sound and Kodiak Island. The museum unifies these cultures and showcases their tales, artwork, and historical past by rotating seasonal reveals.
If you’re visiting in the summertime, ask about their guided excursions, the place an knowledgeable will give deeper context on the artifacts. And if you’re executed, make sure you try the arboretum, which homes many bushes and crops native to Alaska.
The museum was renovated in 2016 and given a contemporary, up to date design to raised go well with the subject material. Entrance charges assist help the persevering with preservation of native heritage.
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